Running For Office

2025 Election Schedule:
January 21 (Tues): Town of New Lebanon, Special Election - Polls open 8am-8pm
March 18 (Tues): Village Elections - Chatham, Kinderhook, Philmont, Valatie
May 20 (Tues): School Elections - Voting hours vary; please check with your school district
June 24 (Tues): Primary Election - Polls open 6am-9pm; Early Voting June 14 - June 22
Nov 4 (Tues): General Election - Polls open 6am-9pm; Early Voting October 25 - November 2

2025 OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION (click here)

2025 BOARD OF ELECTIONS / DOCUMENTS FILED

• Caucus  Notices Filed (Click to view)

• Designating Petition Filings (March 31 - April 3, 2025)

• Independent Nominating Petition Filings (May 20-27, 2025)

• Opportunity to Ballot (OTB) Petition Filings (First day to petition March 18, last day to file April 10, 2025
  
  

Please note the following does not include all deadlines. Refer to the current political calendar for comprehensive date information.

Important 2025 Petition Dates and Deadlines

DESIGNATING PETITIONS FOR PRIMARY:

• First day to circulate designating petitions: February 25, 2025

• Filing of designating petitions: March 31 - April 3, 2025

• Last day to authorize, accept, or decline designations: April 7, 2025

• Last day to fill a vacancy after a declination: April 11, 2025

• Last day to file a substitution after a declination: April 15, 2025

OPPORTUNITY TO BALLOT PETITIONS (OTB):

• First day to circulate OTB petitions: March 18, 2025

• Last day to file OTB petitions: April 10, 2025

• Last day to file an OTB petition if there has been a declination by a designated candidate: April 17, 2025

Designating (Party) and Opportunity to Ballot (OTB) Petition signature requirements:

• 5% Party Enrollments | NEW!

• Sample Designating Petition

• Sample Opportunity to Ballot Petition (OTB)

INDEPENDENT NOMINATING PETITIONS:

• First day to circulate independent nominating petitions: April 15, 2025

• Filing of independent nominating petitions: May 20 - May 27, 2025

• Last day to accept or decline a nomination: May 30, 2025

• Last day to fill a vacancy after a declination: June 2, 2025

• Last day to decline after acceptance if nominee loses party primary: June 27, 2025

Independent Nominating Petition signature requirements:

• Minimum signature requirement - 5% of the votes cast for governor in the 2022 General Election

• Sample Independent Nominating Petition

OTHER PETITION DOCUMENTS:

• Sample Cover Sheet

• Sample Certificate of Acceptance (for candidates)

• Sample Certificate of Declination

• Sample Certificate of Substitution

• Sample Certificate of Authorization

• Sample General Objection Form
  
  

Candidates planning to carry petitions can obtain up-to-date required documentation from the State Board of Elections website  

Important 2025 Caucus Dates and Deadlines

CAUCUS INFORMATION:

• First day to hold a town caucus: February 25, 2025

• Last day to file caucus nominating certificates: July 24, 2025

Please call us at 518-828-3115 or email elections@columbiacountyny.gov for sample documentation

Campaign Finance

Effective January 1st, 2020 all candidates must file directly with the New York State Board of Elections

NEW - Contribution limits for all 2025 local elections

Please use the links to the left to explore campaign finance information on the New York State Board of Elections website. The NYSBOE Campaign Finance Team can be reached at (800) 458-3453 / (518) 474-8200

NYS Public Campaign Finance Program is now open to all candidates running for State Legislative or Statewide offices